MELBOURNE, Fla. (May 22, 2025) – The Sunshine State Conference announced its end of the year awards for women's rowing on Thursday, and the Tars took home both, with the Varsity Eight claiming Boat of the Year honors and
Brandon Thompson earning Coach of the Year status. Voting for Boat of the Year and Coach of the Year is conducted among the conference's women's rowing coaches.
For the full SSC release, click here.
The Varsity Eight becomes the second from Rollins' rowing program to win SSC Boat of the Year, following the Varsity Four boat that was Co-SSC Boat of the Year in 2023. Highlights from the Tars' Varsity Eight season include victories at the Dad Vail, SIRA, and the John Ferris Regatta. The boat also finished second at FIRA in 2025. Rollins' top performance of the season came in photo-finish fashion at SIRA with a 7.12.3 mark in the petite final, outpacing Stetson and Purdue's club team.
Thompson is selected as Co-Coach of the Year for the first time in his career. He is the second Rollins head coach to win the award, joining
Shawn Pistor, who won in 2014, 2023, and 2024. Top moments from Rollins' 2025 season include a second-place finish at the SSC championship, earning five medals at FIRA, petite final victory in the SIRA V8, and the the Dad Vail Championship.
Fans can follow the Tars all season long at RollinsSports.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest #TARnation news by following Rollins Sports on
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